Anti-jam finger protective device

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting fingers from an injury caused by axial trauma, such as may result during participation in fast pitch softball, includes a finger shield comprising a portion that extends over the end of a wearer's finger. The finger shield is coupled to a palm-plate, which is for being disposed adjacent to the wearer's palm, via a coupling portion. The coupling portion is disposed between the finger shield and the palm-plate for transferring a substantial portion of the force of a significant impact occurring at the end of the wearer's finger to the wearer's palm via the palm-plate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The instant invention relates generally to devices for protecting fingers against injury from an impact. More particularly, the instant invention relates to devices for protecting fingers from an injury caused by axial trauma.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In many sports, the hands of participating players are highly susceptible to injury during play. A hand injury not only can cause severe pain, discomfort and disruption in the personal life of the player, but also can sideline that player for an entire season, hampering development and performance for that player in the sport. Such injuries impact team performance as well by denying the services of the player to the team. For the amateur player, a hand injury impedes playing time and thus skill development at all ages. In professional sports, hand injuries can have a dramatic effect, such as a negative economic impact on the injured player, as well as on the team of that player. For instance, the team...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In many sports, the hands of participating players are highly susceptible to injury during play.

A hand injury not only can cause severe pain, discomfort and disruption in the personal life of the player, but also can sideline that player for an entire season, hampering development and performance for that player in the sport.

Such injuries impact team performance as well by denying the services of the player to the team.

For the amateur player, a hand injury impedes playing time and thus skill development at all ages.

In professional sports, hand injuries can have a dramatic effect, such as a negative economic impact on the injured player, as well as on the team of that player.

For instance, the team may have to bear the added expense of paying for the services of a replacement player.

In addition, if the player is exceptionally skilled in the sport a forced absence due to injury of the player may affect the overall team performance, which in turn could well affect game attendance, playoff chances, fan support, and the financial reward for all.

More specifically, individuals engaging in baseball or fast pitch softball recreational activities frequently are injured when struck by a ball.

Such injuries occur most often while batting or while playing the catcher position; in both cases a pitched ball causes the injury.

Unfortunately, none of the heretofore-mentioned solutions protects the ends of the fingers from axial trauma, often referred to simply as “jamming injuries.” These types of injuries may result when a pitched ball with high velocity curves sharply downward (i.e. drop ball pitch) and strikes the ends of a catcher's fingers.

Due to the nature of the catcher's equipment, jamming injuries occur most often in fast pitch softball recreational activities, although similar injuries are seen in players of other sports.

Jamming injuries can result in serious damage to the ligaments of the fingers, most often causing stretching or partial tearing of the ligament or its bone attachment point.

Images